Pager sounded to alert Happisburgh Volunteers a life was at risk

The crew arrived at the station and the Russell Pickering, our D-Class lifeboat, was made ready for action. At 12.25pm she was in the water with Chris Risby as helm and Peter Walker and Ellis Speirs as crew; they made their way to Walcott at best speed and soon spotted the kayak in the distance. When they came alongside the kayak it was over half a mile off the coast; they found the person on board unresponsive and started to assess the casualty and carried out Cas Care treatment. They called for an Ambulance to meet them at Walcott ramp and the crew made best speed again to return to the beach. The Coastguard team from Bacton were there, ready to assist with treatment until the Ambulance arrived, then they helped to transfer the casualty into the care of the ambulance service.

Once the casualty was handed over the crew returned to station to clean and refuel the lifeboat ready for service again.

Chris Risby said ’I was very pleased with how my crew worked so well together on this callout. The casualty had done all the right things by wearing a personal floatation device, had means of calling for help plus someone was aware of where she was and they called for help.’

Simon Farmer, one of the station trainee shore crew, who was on the beach at the time said ‘everything ran so smoothly with all three services working as one to care for the casualty.’

Happisburgh’s Water Safety Team would like to say if you are going to go kayaking at sea then remember the following:

Before you paddle away, be sure to check:

Am I wearing a Personal Flotation Device?

Can I easily reach my communication device if my vessel capsizes or floats away?

Have I checked the local Weather and Water conditions on the day?

Does somebody know where I am going and when I will be back?

Is my clothing and equipment suitable for today’s conditions?

Do I have the appropriate training for this trip?

For more information go to RNLI.org/Respect The Water or RNLI.org/kayaking

Happisburgh Currently Operates,

· D-Class, D - 813 “Russell Pickering”

· Community Water Safety Team

· Visitors Centre

· Shop

RNLI media contacts

· Happisburgh Lifeboat Station Volunteer Press Officer PHILIP SMITH

Mobile 07766007936 E-mail [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.